Tuesday, July 31, 2012

It's always great when I come across a new website or store but it's even more exciting when it's from a Boston-based company.

Recently, one of the companies I'm excited about is UsTrendy, an online marketplace devoted to cultivating new, smaller designers and providing them with opportunities to sell their designs.

If you're part of the Boston fashion scene you're probably already familiar with UsTrendy, one of the biggest fashion marketplaces on the web!

UsTrendy president Sam Sisakhti had watched a designer friend struggle with the business aspects of a successful line, and decided to find a way to support independent design talent while providing shoppers with unique, exciting design at great prices.

If you're an aspiring designer you can create a portfolio to enter into contests. Prizes include receiving funding to launch the line and promotion at international fashion weeks!

The fashion industry is often cut-throat so it's wonderful to see a local company helping to launch new, independent lines.

Not a designer? UsTrendy is also a bit of a social platform where fashion fans can shop unique items, vote for pieces you'd like to see produced, and set tomorrow's trends by providing personal feedback to designers.

One of their labels that really caught my eye is MonTree, with its emphasis on clothing for the modern, urban bohemian. I think sometimes designers see "urban" women as wanting black but MonTree designer, Monica Wontorski, infuses her pieces with bright colors and prints.

I'm particularly crazy for the Mexican Heart top with it's bat wing sleeves and printed heart. Plus, it's made from recycled polyester and bamboo meaning it's stylish and sustainable.

If black is more your game and you're looking for something elegant UsTrendy can satisfy that need as well with designers like FROCK Los Angeles. Frock is one of the labels that is growing quickly thanks to its design philosophy of ignoring trends. Instead, designer Victoria Tik, focuses on solid colors and timeless cuts for an overall minimalist asethetic. Like MonTree, Frock is also committed to being eco-friendly using only vegetable based dyes and certified organic materials.

So, if you're looking for something special and want to be able to support small labels and upcoming designers, USTrendy is the place to go! I love browsing their 14,000 designers and creating outfits especially since UsTrendy makes it easy for MY opinion to actually impact the store in a positive way!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Oh, Katie Holmes, I've had such a love/hate relationship with you since the 7th grade.

I hate your sideways smirk, but love the huge grin.

Joey Potter seemed so fun but Jen Lindley was always so glamorous.

You showed so much promise in Pieces of April and then I endured Mad Money.

I love Suri but Tom creeps me out.

Actually, you probably feel the same way about that last one, Katie.

But I have to admit, this "divorce tour" you're taking on the streets of New York this month has me captivated. You look amazing, Scientology is scary, and Suri is still the best dressed woman in town.

Besides, as a former student of The Sacred Heart, I'm thrilled that Suri will be attending Convent of the Sacred Heart in September.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Since Mila Kunis and Natalie Portman transformed their bodies into ballerinas for Black Swan the ballet barre fitness trend has swept the nation! Recently, it's completely taken over the Boston area with no less than six different studios offering their takes on the fitness movement.

I was extremely nervous walking into the studio as I really haven't worked out in any form in years. I danced ballet as a child (it was a required class at my snooty middle school...yes, seriously) and was on the cheerleading squad in high school but I can't even remember the last time I did a serious workout as an adult!

I needn't have worried; Melissa (my instructor and the manager of West Newton) understood my reservations and made me feel immediately comfortable. While Boston Body has locations all around the greater Boston area that offer Barre, Pilates classes, private lessons, and spinning, the recently-opened West Newton studio is focused solely on their Body Barre program. The lobby is bright and welcoming with plenty of space to store your stuff and a nice reception area. I went to a class in the middle of the day so it was peaceful and Melissa was able to give students a lot of individual attention.

Boston Body Barre is a combination of Pilates and dance based cardio that incorporates a ballet barre. The idea is to use only your body weight as resistance but do a lot of reps of each exercise to build long, lean muscles.
I was honestly expecting to be standing at the barre the entire time and basically just doing ballet exercises. I could not have been more wrong! While you do use the barre for stretching and balance the class is very much a cardio workout mixed with Pilates mat work set to really fun music like Rihanna.

(The West Newton Boston Body Barre studio)

Melissa was incredibly encouraging and helpful. I was sweating hard by the middle of the 60-minute class but Melissa encouraged us to listen to our bodies and take breaks as needed. I definitely needed a couple, so I just sipped on my water and watched the class from the back. No one made me feel bad or uncomfortable for stopping and when I re-joined the group I got a lot of encouraging smiles from the other girls.

I'm not going to lie, it was difficult and, at times, my muscles were screaming, but it was also really fun and when the class was over I felt amazing. It really made me feel powerful and strong. It was a great experience and I'm definitely planning on going on a regular basis.

Interested in trying it out? I definitely recommend that you do!
This summer the West Newton studio has a special where first-timers can drop in to the 5:30 PM class on Wednesdays and try out Boston Body Barre for free. You just need to register for the class online beforehand!

(Barre Class)

Boston Body Pilates has five locations in the Boston area (including one right on Newbury St in Boston) so its easy to find a location and class that's convenient for you!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

If anyone could get Paris's Grand Palais to reopen a room closed off for 70 years it would be Karl Lagerfeld.

He staged Chanel's Haute Couture collection at the Grand Palais as usual but in the Chanel customized Salon d'Honneur.

So, the French's love affair with Lagerfeld is still burning strong but I think I'm becoming a tad disillusioned.

La fatigue Chanel?! Oui! Oh non!

Karl's vision of future vintage was for a far more substantial woman than I.

Of course the craftsmanship at Chanel is always impecable but how many variations of the classic Chanel suit can there really be?

I was delighted with the doll faced makeup, since thats my personal cosmetic style, and all of the accessories from the hair nets to the cuffed, fingerless "gloves".

Finally, I was excited to see my current favorite model, Lindsey Wixson, was cast as The Bride this season. It was a more whimsical moment than the rest of the collection so Lindsey's face was the perfect fit. I hope Karl is developing a Lindsey obsession to rival his love of Freja Beha Erichsen!

Monday, July 2, 2012

It's been a year and a half of drama and gossip since Galliano's ungraceful exit from Dior.

Raf Simons only had a few months from his own departure from Jil Sander to prepare for his Dior debut.

I've read a lot of negative reviews since the show this morning. I'm not sure if people expected Raf Simons into Galliano in four months but it seemed obvious to me that it wasn't going to work out that way. Simons has always been a minimalist and, when looking through the archives, Dior himself was a bit of a minimalist. Galliano's take was often beautiful and theatrical but it was his personal spin. To associate Dior with ONLY John's work is to ignore the house's storied and innovative history.

Sorry. I'm done ranting.

On to Raf's debut collection for Dior!

Raf's Dior is a quiet, modern take on "The New Look", created by Christian Dior in his Spring/Summer 1947 collection. It was certainly a minimalist collection although there were moments of glamour with heavily embellished gowns. But I was quite taken with the overall simplicity of the collection. I loved the classic New Look silhouettes updated with geometric prints, metal belts, and delicate, embellished tops paired with sleek black pants. He was able to capture the femininity of the past AND the restraint of modern dressing beautifully without compromising either idea.

I loved the cocoon feel of his elegant, gray tweed coats that embraced (rather than distorted) a woman's shape. While there was a lot of black, there was also an amazing amount of bright color for a Fall/Winter collection, and all of it worked together to create a cohesive collection.

My only complaints are probably nit-picky, especially as I'll probably never own Dior couture myself, but the visible bra cups just look tacky to me. There also seemed to be a lot of fit issues around models chests throughout the collection but especially when the gowns included the visible cups in the design. They seemed too small and oddly shaped to fit an actual breast and they moved and shifted unflatteringly as the models breezed down the runway. For such a gifted tailor to have such fits is puzzling to me with the only explanation seeming to be that it was intentional. Either way, I don't care for it. There were also some styling and makeup issues. OK, a lot of makeup issues. But I suppose that doesn't really affect the strength of the collection.

While most expected a bang, I think that Raf has begun his career at Dior with a whisper. But a strong, powerful whisper is better than all flash and no substance. This is a step in the right direction and I hope that Bernard Arnault and the rest of LVMH give Simons the time and creative freedom to grow into a true couturier.